Screw Down SnoBar and ColorBar Spacing Guidelines
In areas with high winter precipitation, the accumulation of snow and ice on shiny painted metal roofs can create very dangerous avalanche conditions. A properly installed snow retention system can mitigate this condition. Our approach to proper placement includes full patterns of snow guards across the entire roof surface to prevent snow and ice from moving in the first place. When frozen precipitation loses its footing on the metal roof and begins to slide down the slope, it destroys anything in its path. Snow Guards just placed along the edges of eaves do not always adequately protect against this dangerous condition. The even distribution of snow loads ensures the long-term integrity of the structure itself, the metal roof and the snow retention system. Snow guards installed on partial roof sections such as just over doorways or roof stacks are not recommended. Select a pitch below for general guideline. Snow guards must be installed on all upper roof surfaces before they are attached to a lower roof. Use this page only as a quick reference guide for estimating the amount and placement of snow retention devices on roofs with ground snow loads up to 45 PSF. Always consult an architect or engineer for recommended snow guard placement for your project. This snow retention placement guideline does not take into account snow shadows, snowdrifts, or unusual conditions. If your ground snow load exceeds 45PSF please fill out our Quote Request Form for the heavy duty SnoBar/ColorBar systems.
Please Pick Your Roof Pitch Below
1/12 Roof Pitch
9" Panel: Valleys: Needs a mounting bracket every 18 inches.
12 " Panel: Valleys: Needs a mounting bracket every 12 inches.
Pitch: 1/12 Spacing: Snow rails are installed every 25 feet going up the roof.
Isolated Roof Areas: Never use SnoBar/ColorBar in isolated roof areas such as just over doorways etc.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
If your metal roof panels are mounted on top of purlins or firing strips, the snow rails must be screwed into the purlin or firing strip underneath. If your metal panels are placed on decking, we would recommend screwing into all the mounting holes on the mounting bracket after confirming that your decking is adequate to secure the snow retention system. Place your first bar over the Eave Strut or over the end wall on a supported overhang and run bars across the entire roof. Move up the roof every 25 feet and repeat with a bar that runs across the entire roof. Do not exceed 25 feet vertically between rows of bar. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between bars. Please ensure that your purlins and/or decking material is in good serviceable condition and can withstand the snow loads that will be transferred to it by installing a snow retention system. All upper roof areas must have snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes.
2/12 - 3/12 Roof Pitch
9" Panel: Valleys: Needs a mounting bracket every 18 inches.
12 " Panel: Valleys: Needs a mounting bracket every 12 inches.
Pitch: 2/12 to 3/12 Spacing: Snow rails are installed every 15 feet going up the roof.
Isolated Roof Areas: Never use SnoBar/ColorBar in isolated roof areas such as just over doorways etc.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
If your metal roof panels are mounted on top of purlins or firing strips, the snow rails must be screwed into the purlin or firing strip underneath. If your metal panels are placed on decking, we would recommend screwing into all the mounting holes on the mounting bracket after confirming that your decking is adequate to secure the snow retention system. Place your first bar over the Eave Strut or over the end wall on a supported overhang and run bars across the entire roof. Move up the roof every 15 feet and repeat with a bar that runs across the entire roof. Do not exceed 15 feet vertically between rows of bar. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between bars. Please ensure that your purlins and/or decking material is in good serviceable condition and can withstand the snow loads that will be transferred to it by installing a snow retention system. All upper roof areas must have snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes.
4/12 - 5/12 Roof Pitch
9" Panel: Valleys: Needs a mounting bracket every 18 inches.
12 " Panel: Valleys: Needs a mounting bracket every 12 inches.
Pitch: 4/12 to 6/12 Spacing: Snow rails are installed every 10 feet going up the roof.
Isolated Roof Areas: Never use SnoBar/ColorBar in isolated roof areas such as just over doorways etc.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
If your metal roof panels are mounted on top of purlins or firing strips, the snow rails must be screwed into the purlin or firing strip underneath. If your metal panels are placed on decking, we would recommend screwing into all the mounting holes on the mounting bracket after confirming that your decking is adequate to secure the snow retention system. Place your first bar over the Eave Strut or over the end wall on a supported overhang and run bars across the entire roof. Move up the roof every 10 feet and repeat with a bar that runs across the entire roof. Do not exceed 10 feet vertically between rows of bar. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between bars. Please ensure that your purlins and/or decking material is in good serviceable condition and can withstand the snow loads that will be transferred to it by installing a snow retention system. All upper roof areas must have snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes.
6/12 - 7/12 Roof Pitch
9" Panel: Valleys: Needs a mounting bracket every 18 inches.
12 " Panel: Valleys: Needs a mounting bracket every 12 inches Pitch: 6/12 to 7/12.
Spacing: Snow rails are installed every 7.5 feet going up the roof.
Isolated Roof Areas: Never use SnoBar/ColorBar in isolated roof areas such as just over doorways etc.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
If your metal roof panels are mounted on top of purlins or firing strips, the snow rails must be screwed into the purlin or firing strip underneath. If your metal panels are placed on decking, we would recommend screwing into all the mounting holes on the mounting bracket after confirming that your decking is adequate to secure the snow retention system. Place your first bar over the Eave Strut or over the end wall on a supported overhang and run bars across the entire roof. Move up the roof every 7.5 feet and repeat with a bar that runs across the entire roof. Do not exceed 7.5 feet vertically between rows of bar. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between bars. Please ensure that your purlins and/or decking material is in good serviceable condition and can withstand the snow loads that will be transferred to it by installing a snow retention system. All upper roof areas must have snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes.
8/12 - 10/12 Roof Pitch
9" Panel: Valleys: Needs a mounting bracket every 18 inches.
12 " Panel: Valleys: Needs a mounting bracket every 12 inches Pitch: 8/12 to 10/12.
Spacing: Snow rails are installed every 6 feet going up the roof.
Isolated Roof Areas: Never use SnoBar/ColorBar in isolated roof areas such as just over doorways etc.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
If your metal roof panels are mounted on top of purlins or firing strips, the snow rails must be screwed into the purlin or firing strip underneath. If your metal panels are placed on decking, we would recommend screwing into all the mounting holes on the mounting bracket after confirming that your decking is adequate to secure the snow retention system. Place your first bar over the Eave Strut or over the end wall on a supported overhang and run bars across the entire roof. Move up the roof every 6 feet and repeat with a bar that runs across the entire roof. Do not exceed 6 feet vertically between rows of bar. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between bars. Please ensure that your purlins and/or decking material is in good serviceable condition and can withstand the snow loads that will be transferred to it by installing a snow retention system. All upper roof areas must have snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes.
11/12 - 12/12 Roof Pitch
9" Panel: Valleys: Needs a mounting bracket every 18 inches.
12 " Panel: Valleys: Needs a mounting bracket every 12 inches.
Pitch: 11/12 to 12/12.
Spacing: Snow rails are installed every 5 feet going up the roof.
Isolated Roof Areas: Never use SnoBar/ColorBar in isolated roof areas such as just over doorways etc.
Snow load: Up to 45 PSF ground snow load.
If your metal roof panels are mounted on top of purlins or firing strips, the snow rails must be screwed into the purlin or firing strip underneath. If your metal panels are placed on decking, we would recommend screwing into all the mounting holes on the mounting bracket after confirming that your decking is adequate to secure the snow retention system. Place your first bar over the Eave Strut or over the end wall on a supported overhang and run bars across the entire roof. Move up the roof every 5 feet and repeat with a bar that runs across the entire roof. Do not exceed 5 feet vertically between rows of bar. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between bars. Please ensure that your purlins and/or decking material is in good serviceable condition and can withstand the snow loads that will be transferred to it by installing a snow retention system. All upper roof areas must have snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes.
Disclaimer
This page may be used only for the purpose of developing plans, specifications and/or approval drawings for construction projects utilizing only IceBlox, Inc. manufactured or distributed products and components. It is to be used only as a quick reference for estimating snow guard quantities and placement on roofs with less than 45 PSF ground snow load.
IceBlox Inc., d.b.a SnoBlox-Snojax, referred to hereafter as IceBlox, Inc., or any subsidiary brands or companies, is not responsible for estimates or purchases resulting from the erroneous or improper use of this page or snowguardspacingtool.com.
The user shall determine the suitability of the product for its intended use and assumes all risks of its use or handling. In regards to spacing guidelines, quotations and or layouts, Iceblox, Inc. will not be held liable for incorrect material quantities not recommended on snowguardspacingtool.com, metalroofsnowguards.com and/or SnoBlox-Snojax.com
